Up to date Sept. 23, 2026, 6:41 p.m. ET
ESPN’s “Faculty GameDay” will not be the one out-of-towners in attendance for Saturday’s top-15 matchup between Texas and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.
President Donald Trump is anticipated to be in attendance to look at the No. 1 Longhorns and No. 13 Volunteers conflict within the SEC opener for each groups, a White Home official confirmed to USA TODAY.
Saturday’s recreation at Neyland Stadium would be the first faculty soccer recreation that Trump will attend since Indiana’s win over Miami within the Faculty Soccer Playoff nationwide championship final January at Exhausting Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Will probably be the eighth faculty soccer recreation Trump will attend whereas he has been in workplace over his two phrases. The final regular-season recreation he attended was Alabama vs. Georgia in 2024 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa throughout his presidential marketing campaign.
The Knoxville Police Division is getting ready to help with Trump’s go to, spokesperson Christyn Allen instructed The Knoxville Information Sentinel, a part of the USA TODAY Community, and mentioned that followers ought to count on elevated safety in and across the stadium.
“In case you’re attending the sport, plan accordingly and permit further journey time,” police advise.
Trump paid a go to to Knoxville on Nov. 16, 2015, for a rally on the Conference Heart throughout his first presidential marketing campaign, in keeping with Knox Information.
ESPN declined to remark to USA TODAY Sports activities on Wednesday, Sept. 23, when requested whether or not Trump will seem on “Faculty GameDay,” which is able to broadcast from Knoxville on Saturday with the likes of Pat McAfee, Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit. In Week 2, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz obtained a loud barrage of boos from these in Austin when he appeared on the present for a sit-down interview with Rece Davis to debate the Defend Faculty Sports activities Act, which he co-authors.
The Longhorns, led by Arch Manning, the nephew of former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, are off to a 3-0 begin to the season, headlined by their come-from-behind win at house in Week 2 towards Ohio State. Peyton Manning can be anticipated to attend Saturday’s recreation. Texas is taking part in its first recreation at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
The Volunteers are additionally undefeated this season and have run with freshman Faizon Brandon at quarterback. Tennessee is on the lookout for its fourth all-time win towards the No. 1-ranked staff within the nation on Saturday, and its third win underneath Josh Heupel in an SEC opener.
Texas and Tennessee are set for a midday ET kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 25 in Knoxville.
This story has been up to date with new info. This story is growing.
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